NEWS
We are Committed to Providing Qualitative Healthcare in FCT –Mahmoud
Dr Mariya Mahmoud, the FCT Minister of State, has said that the administration is committed in giving residents qualitative healthcare services under the newly inaugurated “Renewed Hope Medical Mission”.Mahmoud said this on Friday during the flagg-off of the medical outreach in Bwari area council of the FCT.
She said that the aim of the medical mission was to provide comprehensive healthcare services to underserved communities in the FCT. The Minister added that the enlarged programme also seeks to address the critical health challenges faced by vulnerable populations, particularly in areas with high maternal and child morbidity and mortality rates. She noted that Nigeria was one of the countries with high maternal death, child morbidity and mortality.She said that the situation resulted from poor Ante-Natal Care (ANC) attendance, low uptake of immunisation and family planning services.Mahmoud said that rapid population expansion leading to increased demand for health services had posed serious health challenges to the FCT administration hence the need to take seriously the medical needs of the people.She stressed the FCT administration’s commitment to improving the primary healthcare system, by renovation, upgrading and building of more health centers across the six area councils.The Minister said that the administration was also committed to employing more healthcare workers.She used the occasion to speak on the danger signs in pregnancy, importance of ANC attendance, exclusive breast feeding, and importance of immunisation in preventing childhood diseases.Mahmoud listed some of the diseases that could be prevented as polio, TB, pneumonia, pertussis, diphtheria, measles, and importance of screening for HIV, Diabetes, Hypertension, and others.Also speaking, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, said that despite recent improvements in access to quality healthcare for residents of the FCT, many communities remained underserved.She said that the FCT administration recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to healthcare, that addresses the root causes of healthcare challenges and provides sustainable solutions.Fasawe said that the Renewed Hope Medical Mission had several objectives.“They include providing comprehensive healthcare services, raising awareness about the importance of healthcare, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and reducing maternal and child mortality rates.“The Renewed Hope Medical Mission is a multi-faceted programme that employs a range of strategies to achieve its objectives.“These include mobile health clinics, a health insurance scheme, infrastructure development, and health education.“It has several benefits, including improved access to healthcare services, reduced maternal and child mortality rates, increased health awareness, and investment in healthcare infrastructure,” he said.He said that the programme was a comprehensive approach to healthcare, addressing the critical health challenges faced by underserved communities in Abuja.“By providing comprehensive healthcare services, investing in healthcare infrastructure, and promoting health awareness, the programme contributes to reducing maternal and child mortality rates“It also iimproves access to quality healthcare services.“Free medical missions are global best ppractices used to provide targeted medical and surgical care to meet the health needs of the underserved and vulnerable populations.“As the pprogramme ontinues to expand, it is clear that the Renewed Hope Medical Mission will remain a beacon of hope for underserved communities in Abuja,” Fasawe said.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that more than 3000 residents of Bwari community were provided with free healthcare services in different, like sickle cell screening and blood test.Others are antenactal, general medical checkup, dental care, minor surgeries, nutrition and food, free HIV screning/Counseling and others. (NANNEWS
Explosion: Jigawa Distributes Relief Materials to 210 Affected Families
The Jigawa State Emergency Management Agency (JISEMA) has distributed relief materials to the affected families of Majia tanker explosion, which occurred in Taura local government area of the state.
The items distributed by the agency on Saturday in Majia town include 25kg bags of rice, 25kg bags of millet, cartons of spaghetti, Maggi cube, seasoning, detergents, soap, semolina, gallons of vegetable oil and 110 rubber mats.
Dr Mairiga Haruna Mairiga, Executive Secretary of the agency, said the materials were donated by the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, the National Emergency Management Agency, and JISEMA.
Mairiga said this after the distribution, that the items were distributed to the families of the 210 people affected by the tanker explosion.
Some of the beneficiaries who received the items, commended the Federal and State governments as well as wealthy individuals who assisted them since the incidence in October.
Mr Muhammad Habibu, father to a deceased victim, said the relief materials would assist them at a time that they lost a helper.
Another beneficiary, Mr Auwal Abdullahi, whose son is on admission at Rashid Shekoni hospital in Dutse, said the materials would reduce the hardship encountered due to the incident.
They commended JISEMA for coming to their aid and prayed to God to continue guiding the state Governor Umar Namadi, towards the right direction.(NAN)
Education
Veritas University Graduates 795 in 13th Convocation Ceremony
The Veritas University, Abuja, on Saturday, graduated a total of 795 students in various disciplines from six facilities during its 13th Convocation ceremony
Report says that 716 of the graduands bagged first degrees while 79 graduated from the post graduate school.
56 if the first degree graduands came out with first class honours, 329 with second class upper division, 291 with second class lower division and 40 with third class.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof.
Hyacinth Ichoku, said that the impact of the institution had reflected in its standard of education.Ichoku said the students had recorded outstanding breakthroughs by winning awards for the school and country both at the national and international levels.
”Our students have continued to shine in the last years. The Software Engineering Department of the institution won the African Global Engineering Competition.
”We have also won the Commonwealth debating championship as well as an AI competition involving 150 university,” he said.
He added that the institution had inaugurated its endowment fund with the aim to generate funds to address the infrastructural need of the university.
He also said that the institution had just completed the construction of two separate hostels, each to accommodate 500 students, while also expanding its digital hub that would facilitate international teaching and learning.
He said pledged that the institution was planning the construction of its faculty of engineering and innovation.
In a goodwill message, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, lauded the institution its achievements.
Maiyaki said that the milestone resulted from years of hardwork, resilience and commitment in inculcating academics and moral values for the educational advancement of the country.
The institution’s Pro-chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Dr Matthew Kukah, said that the country was at the crossroads as a result of numerous challenges the country is faced with.
Kukah said that with the emergence of a new terrorist group, there was need for the country to brace up to this challenge to avert future problems.
He charged the graduating students to deliver on the confidence reposed in them to help the country find a lasting solutions to some of the challenges.
Highlight of the event included award of prizes to the outstanding students in their various departments and faculties.
Prominent Nigerians also bagged the institution’s honorary doctorate degree award.
The honorees were the Asagba of Asaba Kingdom, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, and the Executive Secretary, Sahara Power Group, Kolawole Adesina.
Others are Archbishop Emeritus of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most Rev. Alaba Job and Archbishop Emeritus of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna.(NAN)
NEWS
Abortion Allegation Against Military: CDS Hails Outcome of Investigation
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has hailed the outcome of investigation on the allegation of forced abortion leveled against the Nigerian military by the International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC) and Reuters.
Musa made this known in a statement by the Director Defence Information, Brig.
-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Saturday in Abuja.Musa commended the Special Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations in Counter Insurgency in the North East for exonerating the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) from indictments regarding allegations on forceful abortions and other infractions in the sub-region.
He recalled that the report of the panel specifically stated that the allegations of systematic abortions, torture, rape and extra juducial killings levelled against the military were false.
The CDS commended the 7- man panel led by retired Justice Abdu Aboki for painstakingly carrying out a thorough job since its inauguration in March 2023 by the Nigerian Human Rights Commission.
He reaffirms the commitment of the armed forces to the defence of human rights and resolve to ensure that peace reigns in the country.
According to him, no amount of false accusations will distract the armed forces from exercising its constitutional mandate of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation. (NAN)